Nestled between the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center and Gregory Gym, the south courtyard occupies a pivotal juncture in UT Austin’s pedestrian core, serving as both a conduit and a refuge. Its location transforms a once-overlooked threshold into a layered ecosystem that guides student movement while anchoring a vibrant, ecologically rich gathering space.

One of the defining features of campus are the historic Live Oak trees, which frame views and provide ample shade. In Texas, shade can transform an unbearable space into a comfortable space. Working closely with the University’s Urban Forester, the design team formulated a strategy to improve the health of the trees while also creating spaces for students beneath their wide canopies.

At the west end of the site, two large trees facing a major pedestrian thoroughfare were suffering from buried root flares, compacted soils, and erosion from undesirable drainage patterns. Excavation around the root flares, decompaction, vertical mulching, strategic regrading, and light pruning were performed to relieve these existing stresses.

Tree-Friendly Design: A raised wood deck was built in the shade of these two trees with tables and chairs for students to dine, study, and meet; the middle of the deck was left clear to accommodate the existing circulation paths observed beneath the trees. Removable decking panels were incorporated near the tree trunks to allow access for continued aeration, mulching, and watering. The structure of the deck was designed to allow for flexible, in-the-field placement of the piers, which required AirSpade excavation by an arborist to ensure critical roots were not cut during construction.

On the east half of the site, several young trees competing with the larger historic trees for space and nutrients were removed. Some sensitive areas beneath the historic canopies were densely planted to deter student use and further soil compaction. Other areas were paved with a permeable brick system to expand the usable area, while maintaining root access to air and water.

In line with the mission of the University and the purpose of the Student Activity Center, it was important that the design be student-oriented, encourage interaction, and be flexible to adapt to a wide range of student needs.

Student-Centered Design: Careful observation of how people moved through the site resulted in an organic organizational strategy. Rather than resisting the natural circulation patterns evident across the site, the design chose to enable those intuitive currents of motion and organized a variety of outdoor rooms in the eddies between them. These outdoor rooms form islands of activity within a sea of green plantings.

These outdoor rooms form islands of activity within a sea of green plantings. Islands for dining, study, and relaxation offer students choices of shaded seating types and settings. Students can relax in rocking chairs around the fire pit, unwind in the hammock lounge, perch on stools at high tables for group gatherings, or pause between classes on long benches located along the walkways. In a more active zone, a simple platform made of permeable paving and bounded by native plantings accommodates such diverse events as card tournaments, dance practice, or table tennis. Areas are clearly delineated and offer differing degrees of enclosure without being isolated. Along high-traffic zones, subtle material and elevation changes allow students to enjoy a degree of remove from passers-by while still sharing their buzzy energy. Continuous sight lines connect the courtyard, and shielded lighting allows for safe use at night. The entire site is wheelchair accessible and offers free Wi-Fi coverage and power.

Biophilic Design for Student Well-Being: Biophilia refers to the innate connection people have with nature. Research shows that people have reduced stress, improved cognitive performance, and better emotional and mental health when their physical environment is connected to nature. Through its biophilic design, the courtyard promotes student well-being with elements that engage the senses – both visual and non-visual. Additionally, the design mimics spatial configurations found in nature, such as varied vantage points and differing levels of proximity to others.

Drought-tolerant native plantings add biodiversity to this unique community space. Toward the back of the site, lush green ferns in the shade of the trees form a tranquil rain garden around a student-designed hammock structure. Near the center, bunch grasses were planted in the sunny space around the cistern. Toward the front, hardy plantings separate the raised seating areas from bustling pedestrian walkways. This diversity of plantings results in a fragrant and visually delightful color palette, with buds of red, orange, and pink flowering at different times of year. The existing inoperable linear fountain structures were repurposed to support wood benches, steel planters, and a fireplace, reusing large chunks of concrete instead of sending them to the landfill. Students gather next to the warmth of the fire on cool days. The cistern’s fountain, as well as a new feature fountain, provide relief on hot days through evaporative cooling. The sound of flowing water also creates a calming, enjoyable background for study or conversation.